Polishing belt control means



y 1952 E; E. MURRAY 2,597,256

POLISHING BELT CONTROL MEANS Filed March 1, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 277/652 2', Mar/"45 y 1952 E. E. MURRAY 2,597,256

POLISHING BELT CONTROL MEANS Filed March 1, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

May 20, 1952 E. E. MURRAY POLISHING BELT CONTROL MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 1, 1950 May 20, 1952 E. E. MURRAY 2,597,256

POLISHING BELT CONTROL MEANS Filed March 1, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

May 20, 1952 E. E. MURRAY POLISHING BELT CONTROL MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 1, 1950 Patented May 20, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POLISHING BELT CONTROL MEANS Ernest E. Murray, Birmingham, Mich. Application March 1, 1950, Serial No. 146,953

Claims.

The present invention relates to polishing machines, and particularly relates to improvements in machines for polishing flat strips of metal.

The machine of the present invention generally comprises three rolls upon which is mounted a continuous belt having an abrasive on the outer surface. The rolls and belt are mounted on a standard with the rolls rotatable about substantially horizontal axes. The flat strips of metal to be processed are passed under the lowermost roll and against the polishing belt by means of suitable feed rollers, with a billy roll disposed under the lowermost drive roll and spaced therefrom a suitable distance to pass the sheet through the space and against the abrasive belt, and to effect a polish on the upper surface of the sheet.

In order to impart a positive transverse movement to the polishing belt as it rotatably moves about the rolls, the uppermost roll is caused to oscillate about a substantially vertical axis. This oscillation of the roll afiects a positive transverse oscillation of the belt. A third take-up roll is provided, which is pneumatically urged against the belt to take up any slack therein, and to maintain a constant pressure on the belt. This third roll is so mounted that upon positive oscillation of the top .idler roll, the axis of the third roll .is correspondingly shifted so that it remains substantially parallel with the axis of the top idler .roll.

The top idler roll is caused to oscillate in response to the position of one edge of the belt. A control system is provided which includes a vacuum box disposed adjacent one edge of the belt, and in theparticular embodiment illustrated such vacuum box has a pair of orifices which are spacedafixed distance apart, and which serve to limit the transverse movement of the belt in both directions as the idler roll is oscillated. The extent of lateral deviation of the belt is dependent entirely upon the distance between these two orifices. Belts of different widths may be used, so long as one edge is disposed to run over the orifices. It is not necessary that the belt be centered on the rolls, as the positive oscillation :of the idler roll will affect transverse shifting of the belt from one extreme position to the other; and back again.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide an improved belt tensioning means, whereby a predetermined and constant pressure may be maintained on the belt, incombination with a means .for affecting a positive transverse shifting of the belt as it travels in its circuitous path.

A further object of the invention is .to provide an improved means for efiecting the transverse oscillation of the belt.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, the drawings relating thereto, and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, in which like numeralsare used to designate like parts .in the several views throughout:

Figure .1 is a perspective view of a unit polishing machine embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the relationship of the rolls and the polishing belt;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational and crosssectional view taken substantially .along the line 4-4 :of Fig. 2; V

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, with parts in elevation, taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an elevational and cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 57 is a cross s'ection'al view taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fig. '2;

.Fig. 8 'is :a cross=sectional and .elevational view taken substantially along the line 8-8 :of Fig. S2; and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the control for affecting oscillation of the idler roll.

Only one polishing'u'nit is described herein, but it is to be understood that in the normal use of these polishing machines a plurality of such units are arranged in'line. Belts of progressively diminishing grain size are employed from the entering end of the assembly to the leaving end, so that sheets may be continuously fed from one end to the other, rough grinding occurring at the entering end with the sheet finally emerging from the last unit with :a finished polish. The machine may be employed .for use of either .dry or wet polishing, but is particularly adapted for wet polishing.

Referring to the drawings, a :polis'hing unit is illustrated which comprises a base I having an upstanding frame, generally indicated at 2, mounted thereon. The .frame 2 supports :a .billy roll 3, which idles, having the ends thereof mounted in bearing blocks 4.. The frame 2 also supports longitudinally spaced pairs of pinch rollers 5 and 6 which are supported in bearing blocks mounted on the frame. The upper roll 5 is resiliently urged toward the roll 6 and the sheet to be treated passes between the guide rollers and 6 and over the billy roll 3 in a direction from right to left, viewing Fig. 1.

A standard or housing I is also mounted on the frame I, and the standard 1 serves to mount the polishing mechanism, generally indicated at 8, and also contains the drive means for the rollers. It will be appreciated that the drive means is conventional in construction and will be known and understood by those skilled in the art, so that it is not necessary to disclose such means in detail.

The polishing mechanism 8 comprises three rolls 9, l3 and H, around which a continuous abrasive polishing belt I2 is trained.

The contact roll 9 is disposed immediately above the billy roll 3, with the axis thereof substantially parallel to the axis of the billy roll, transversely of the sheets to be polished. The contact roll 9 is mounted on a shaft l3 having the ends thereof supported in bearing assemblies supported at the opposite depending ends I4 and I5 of a cantilever casting l6.

The casting I6 is supported at its inner end on the housing for vertical adjustment thereon so as to adjust the roll 9 with respect to the billy roll 3. The inner end of the casting I6 is fixed to a mounting plate, and the vertical ends of the V mounting plate are received within grooves of vertical guideways I! which, in turn, are fixed to the housing The mounting plate and, therefore, the casting |6 may be adjusted vertically on the housing 1 within guideways II by means of 7 a rack-and-pinion mechanism (not shown), which is operated by turning a shaft 8. The shaft 3 has the pinion mounted on the inner end, and extends through the front face of the casting projecting therebeyond so that it may ing assemblies 28 and 29 are fixed to the top surfaces of the upwardly extending arms of a U-shaped mounting member 30. The mounting member 30 has a central opening 3| therein and is pivotally supported upon a horizontally projecting mounting member 32 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis.

The outer end of the mounting member 32 has a boss, or vertically cylindrical portion 33, having a vertical opening 34 formed therein. The inner end of the member 32 has an enlarged vertical face, as indicated at 35, and is bolted to the housing 1 above ways H.

Member 30 is pivotally supported above the boss 33 on a bearing assembly 36 which is supported on an upwardly facing, annular groove 31 assemblies 39 and 40.

formed in the member 32. A vertical pivot pin 38 is received within opening 3| and extends downwardly within the opening 34, and is pivotally connected to the member 32 by bearing Thus, the roller l9 and the member 39 are supported on the member 32 and are pivotally connected thereto by means of the pivot pin 38 for oscillation about a vertical axis.

Oscillation is imparted to the roller 0 through a pair of depending arms 4| and 42 at the outer end of member 30. A rocker arm 43 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to a U-shaped bracket 44. The bracket 44 is mounted through the bight thereof to the boss 33 of the member 32 by means of screws 45. In order to pivotally mount the arm 43 to the bracket 44, a pivot pin be engaged by a suitable tool for vertically adlusting the casting. The casting may be fixed in its vertically adjusted position.

The outer end of the shaft |3, upon which roller 9 is mounted, is rotatably supported within a bearing assembly |9 which is supported on the outer depending leg |4 of the casting l6.

To provide for additional support at the outer end of the roll 9, a link 20 has an opening through the upper end thereof which may be removably positioned over a threaded projection 2| on the outer casing of the bearing assembly l9, and which may be fixed thereon by a nut. The lower end of the link 20 is forked and is pivotally connected to a depending rod 23. The lower end of the rod is threaded and is received through a vertical opening in a mounting bracket 24, which in turn is mounted on the frame 2. The lower end of the link 23 is threaded, and adjusting nuts 25 and 26 are threaded on the rod 23 on opposite sides of the support 24 so that the effective length of the link 23 may be varied according to the vertical adjustment of the roll 9.

In order to remove or apply a belt |2 over rolls 9, l0 and II, the nut 22 may be removed and the link 20 pivoted away from the projection 2| so that an open space is provided for the belt l2. In normal operation, the supporting links are assembled as shown in Fig. 1 so as to assure stability of the roll 9.

As mentioned above, the top roll I0 is an idler roller, and it is mounted for oscillation about a vertical axis and is provided with mechanism to impart a positive oscillation to the roll Hi.

The roll I0 is mounted upon a shaft 21, the opposite ends of which are rotatably received within bearing assemblies 28 and 29. The bear- 46 is received through aligned openings 41 and 48 in the outer ends of the arms of the bracket 44', and is received through a vertical pivot opening 49 in arm 43.

The outer end of the pivot arm is indicated at 50, and the inner end indicated at 5|, such inner and outer ends being on opposite sides of the pivot 46. The outer end 50 is positioned between the depending arms 4| and 42, as shown in Fig. 5, and is adjustably connected thereto for adjusting the centerline of the roll I0 with respect to the median centerline of the arm 43. In order to provide such an interconnection, the outer end of the arm 50 is bifurcated and receives therein an adjusting wheel 5|. A transverse shaft 52 extends through aligned openings in the ends of the member 50 and projects beyond the sides thereof. The shaft 52 has the central portion thereof threaded, as indicated at 53, and is threaded to the wheel 5|. Threaded adapters 54 are threaded into aligned openings in the outer arms of the member 50, and are provided with openings therein which support the opposite ends of the shaft 52. One end of the shaft 52 is formed with a longitudinal keyway 55 and a setscrew 56 is inner end thereof may project within the keyway 55 to prevent rotation of the shaft 52 with respect to the arm 59, but to permit longitudinal movement of the shaft with respect thereto. The projecting end surfaces of the shaft 52 engage balls 51 which are mounted in grooves 58 in the ends of threaded adapters 59. The adapters 59 are threaded into aligned threaded openings in the ends of arms 4| and 42. The balls 51 may be held in the grooves 58 by peening the ends thereof.

By turning wheel 5|, the lateral relationship of the arm 50 with respect to the arms 4| and 42 may be varied. As the wheel 5| is rotated, the shaft 52 is caused to move longitudinally with respect to the end of the arm 50 and thus the cylinder 3'0 and is force exerted by the shiited in its relative position with respect to arms iii and 42. The effect of such adjustment f5l is to cause a relative change in the faxial'position of roller i '50 that, as the'arm 43 is ed to cause oscillation of the roller 49, the relative position ofthe axis of the roller it) may be adjusted so that it assumes the proper position with respect "to the end positions of the arm 43. For example, with the wheel in its exact central position as the arm 43 is oscillated, the roll it will be oscillated to equal distances on opposite side'sof its normal median line.

'Io pivot the arm 43 about pivot 46, and to thereby impart a positive oscillationto the roll 10, a fluid-operated piston and cylinder assem- I bly 60 is connected to the inner end of arm 5i. The'assembly 60 comprises a eylinder fil having the end'thereoi pivotally mounted to a bracket iii-by means of ajpivo't pin 63. Bracket '62 iixed to the hub 3 3 of the mounting bracket 32. A piston rod-64 projects th' ugh the cap end of the pivotally connected to the innot end of the arm '5'!" by means'of apivot pin 55. Reci-procation of the piston rod 64 ahec'ts a rocking of the arm 43 about pivdtlB which, in turn, affects a pofit-ive oscillation of the roll to.

In order to limit the rocking movement of arm 4-3, a depending boss 66 is formed on the underside of arm 5! and a pair of adjustable screws *61 and 68 are threaded through bosses formed on the lower arm of the bracket M. By adjusting the positions of screws 61 and '68, viewing Fig. "6, it will be evident that the boss 66 will engage the stops at the limit of its travel and thus limit the extent of oscillation of the roller 10.

The operation of the cylinder assembly -60 is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 9, and will be described hereinafter.

For proper operation, and in order to take expansion -in he belt l2 and to assure a proper tension thereon, the takeup roll I] is provided and is mounted a manner to be described. It will be appreciated that as the roll I 0 oscillated, the belt will tend to twist and the 'roll H is so mounted that'it exerts a uniform'pressure against the belt, and also follows the movement of roll 1 0. That is, as the axis of roll l0 shifts, the axis'o'f roll ll shifts correspondingly, and such shifting is affected by the belt l2.

Viewing Fi 3, the roll H is an idler roller and is mounted on shaft for rotation therewith. The ends of the shaft 10 are supported withinfbearing assemblies ll (Fig. 7 which, in turn, are mounted at the outer ends of mounting arms 72 and 13. The bearing assemblies TII are of the self-aligning type, known in the art, so that as the arms 12 and 13 are shifted at different angles with respect to each other the shaft '10 on which the roller H is mounted may align itself in its mounting bearings.

The arms 12 and 13 are mounted on a cross shaft--14 which is supported in bearing brackets 15 and 1c. The bearing brackets 15 and 1-5 are mounted on and affixed to casting 16.

The arms 12 nd 13 are mounted on the ends of cross shaft 14 for independent, relative rotationwith respect to each other. Thus, one arm may pivot in one direction and the other arm pivot in'the opposite direction according to the twisting action of the belt as the roll H] is osc'llated. The axis of roller H will thus remain substantially parallel to the axis of roller 10 at all times during oscillation of roller H).

a constant pressure is imparted on belt t2:

means of afluidcylinder generally indicated at 11.

through roller if by and piston assembly,

7 of a pivot pin 80.

' the facing surfaces of connected to a depending bracket 19 by .means mounted "to the undersurface of the mounting bracket 32. la -piston 8| projects through the opposite end of the cylinder 18 and is pivotally connected o cross shaft '82. "The connection between the shaft 82 and the piston 81 is such as to permit a slight play between the cross shaft '82 and the rod 81. The opposite ends of the shaft 82 are received within recesses 83 of bushings 84, the recesses '83 being aligned and being fixedto arms 12 and 13. The conmotion between the'ends of the shaft 82 and the recesses 83 is also a loose connection so that there maybe play between the arms 1-2 and "I3 and the shaft 82 as the arms rotate with respect to each other.

The cylinder and piston-assembly l1 isrprovided with the usual inlet and outlet ports and connections which are connected to a suitable source of fluid under pressure for 'impartingithedesired pressure to the cylinder piston, and for thus applying the proper and desired tension on the belt 12-. I

In the general operation of the device above described, the roll '9 isdrivento impart movement to the belt in the direction shown by the arrows in Fig. 1. Rollers l0 andll "are idler rollers to which rotation is imparted by movement of the belt 1 2. The roller 10 is oscillated about its vertical mounting axis by oso'illationrof the inner end of the arm 43. Oscillation of this am is effected by reciprocation of piston rod 64 of the piston and cylinder assembly 60.

The manner in which the reciprocation of piston rod 64 is affected is "diagrammatically illustrated'in .Fig. 9. .Here, the roller I0 is diagrammatically shown to be connected to the piston rod '64 by a pivot arm '43. This interconnection diagrammatic, and it will be understood that upor'i pivoting of the "arm 43 about a center, indicated at 85, the axis of roller 10 is "caused to oscillate abouta vertical axis passing substantially through its center.

As the axis of the roller 10 is shifted, the belt 12 will :be -caused to affect a transverse movement on all of the rollers. That is, when the axis of roller I0 is moved in one direction, the edge of the belt will move toward one edge of the roll; and, when the axis of the roller is reversed, the edge of the belt will move away from that edge .of the roll. The extent of this shifting of the belt, or this lateral movement of the edge of the belt, controls the actuation of assembly 60. is accomplished by a vacuum box 68 which is mounted on casting H5 in a position adjacent the outer edge of the belt l2, as shown in Fig. 1. The vacuum box'86 is positioned in the vertica'l line "of travel between rolls '9 and 10. The box 86 forms an enclosedvacuum chamber having a removable face plate 81., and the box is so positioned that the belt 12 slides against the face plate "Blfin :its travel. The face plate 81 is provided with a :pair of space orifices 88 and 85 tbereinof different s z s, with t larger orifice 89 disposed inwardly from the outer edge of the belt 12. The broken lines passing through the orifices =88 and 89 (Fig. 9) indicate the extent of lateral travel of the belt 12:, and it will be appreciated that such travel may be varied by The bracket 19 is fixedly distance apart. A constant vacuum is maintained within chamber 86 from a suitablesource, and a vacuum conduit 90 communicates with the chamber 86 and with a conventional mercury switch, indicated at 9|. chamber 86 change according to the covering and opening of openings 88 and 89 by the belt [2 in its lateral movement, the mercury switch 9| is actuated to actuate in turn a solenoid-operated, hydraulic four-way valve, generally indicated at 92. Such valve 92 is per se well known in the art. Fluid under pressure is supplied the fourway valve through a supply conduit 93, and conduits 94 and 95 are connected to the interior of the piston and cylinder assembly through ports, in the usual way, and are connected to the fourway valve in the usual way. A return conduit 96 is provided which returns from the four-way valve to the tank, and has a needle valve 91 interposed therein.

Upon shifting of the axis of roller I in one direction, the edge of belt l2, adjacent the vacuum chamber 86, will move from the position shown by line 98 toward the position shown by line 99. Opening 89 is covered by the belt and opening 88 is open so that the mercury switch 9| is actuated to rock the arm 43 in one direction. The axis of the roller l0 will remain in that position until the edge of the belt starts to cover opening 88. After the opening 88 is closed sufficiently to change the pressure conditions within chamber 86, the vacuum switch 9| will be reversed to shift valve 92 and to effect rocking of the arm 43 in the opposite direction to shift the axis of roller M in the opposite direction. This will cause movement of the edge of the belt I2 in the opposite, or return direction, and the roller M will remain in that position until port 89 is uncovered to such an extent as to change the pressure conditions in chamber 86 to reverse the mercury switch and. shift the four-way valve to affect rocking of the arm 43 in the opposite direction, and thus shift the axis of roller l0 torthe opposite position. Repetition of this action affects a positive back-and-forth, transverse movement of the belt l2 on rollers 9, l0 and H as the'belt is caused to travel in its circuitous path.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention described without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a polishing machine comprising a standard, first, second and third rolls mounted on said standard, a continuous polishing belt disposed about said rolls, means mounting said first roll for rotation about a fixed axis, means mounting said second roll for rotation about a shiftable axis, means mounting said third roll for rotationabout a shiftable axis, and means to positively shift the axis of the second roll, the engagement of the belt with the third roll causing the shifting of the axis thereof to maintain it parallel with the shifting axis of the second roll.

2. In a polishing machine comprising a standard, first, second and third rolls mounted on said standard, a continuous polishing beltdisposed about said rolls, means mounting said first roll for rotation about a fixed axis, means mounting said second roll for rotation about a shiftable axis, means mounting said third roll. for rotation about a shiftable axis, and means responsive to the position of one edge of said belt to positively shift the axis of the second roll, the engagement As vacuum conditions within,

8 of the belt with the third roll causing the shifting; of the axis thereof to maintain it parallel with the shifting axis of the second roll.

. roll for rotation about a shiftable axis, and

means to positively shift the axis of the idle roll, the engagement of the belt with thethird roll causing the shifting of the axis thereof to maintain it parallel with the shifting axis of the second roll.

4. In a polishing machine comprising a standard, a drive roll, an idle roll, and a third roll, a continuous polishing belt disposed about said rolls in driving engagement therewith, means mounting said drive roll for rotation about a fixed axis, means mounting said idle rolls for rotation about a shiftable axis, means mounting said third roll for rotation about a shiftable axis, and means responsiveto the position of one edge of said belt to positively shift the axis of the idle roll, the engagement of the belt with the third roll causing the shifting of the axis thereof to maintain it parallel with the shifting axis of the second roll.

5. In a polishing machine comprising a standard, a drive roll, an idle roll, and a third roll, a continuous polishing belt disposed about said rolls in driving engagement therewith, means mounting said drive roll for rotation about a fixed axis, means mounting said idle roll for rotation about a shiftable axis, means mounting said third roll for rotation about a shiftable axis, and Vacuum actuated means responsive to the position of one edge of said belt to positively shift the axis of the idle roll, the engagement of the belt with the third roll causing the shifting of the axis thereof to maintain it parallel with the shifting axis of the second roll.

6. In a polishing machine comprising-a standard, a drive roll, an idle roll, and a third roll, a continuous polishing belt disposed about said rolls in driving engagement therewith, means mounting said drive roll for rotation about a fixed axis, means mounting said idle roll for rotation about a shiftable axis, means mounting said third roll for rotation about a shiftable axis, means to urge the third roll into con-tact with the belt, and means responsive to the position of one edge of said belt to positively shift the axis of the idle roll, the engagement of the belt with the third roll causing the shifting of the axis thereof to maintain it parallel with the shifting axis of the second roll.

7. In a polishing machine comprising a standard, a drive roll, an idle roll, and a third roll, a continuous polishing belt disposed about said rolls in driving engagement therewith, means mounting said drive roll for rotation about a fixed axis, means mounting said idle roll for rotation about a shiftable axis, means mounting said third roll for rotation about a shiftable axis, means to urge the third roll into contact with the belt and to maintain a substantially constant tension thereon, means responsive to the position of one edge of said belt to positively shift the axis of the idle roll, the engagement of the belt with the third roll causing the shifting of the axis thereof to maintain it'parallel with the shifting axis of the second roll. I

8. In a polishing machine comprising a standard, a drive roll, an idle roll, and a third roll, a continuous polishing belt disposed about said rolls in driving engagement therewith, means mounting said drive roll for rotation about a fixed, substantially horizontal axis, means mounting said idle roll for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and for oscillation about a substantially vertical axis, means mounting said third roll for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and for shifting about a substantially vertical axis, and means responsive to the position of one edge of said belt to positively oscillate the axis of the idle roll about said vertical axis, the engagement of the belt with the third r011 causing the shifting of the axis thereof to maintain it parallel with the oscillation of the second roll.

9. A polishing machine comprising a standard. a drive roll, an idle roll, and a third roll, a continuous polishing belt disposed about said rolls in driving engagement therewith, means mounting said drive roll for rotation about a fixed axis, means mounting said idle roll for rotation about a shiftable axis, means mounting said third roll for rotation about a shiftable axis, pneumatic means to urge the third roll into contact with the belt, and means responsive to the position of one edge of said belt to positively shift the axis of the idle roll, the engagement of the belt with the third roll causing the shifting of the axis thereof to maintain it parallel with the shifting axis of the second roll.

10. In a polishing machine comprising a standaxis of the idler roll, the engagement of the belt with the third roll causing the shifting of the axis thereof to maintain at will with the shifting axis of the idler roll.

ERNEST E. MURRAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,665,749 Mattison Apr. 10, 1928 1,770,957 Veale July 22, 1 930 1,896,375 Roesen Feb. 7, 1933 1,982,685 Muller Dec. 4, 1934 2,072,951 Johnson et a1 Mar. 9, 1937 2,274,268 Hercik Feb. 24, 1942 2,291,830 Obenshain Aug. 4, 1942 2,463,287 Krueger Mar. 1, 1949 2,479,536 Elmes Aug. 16, 1949 

